Side Tours Guide: What to Do, How to Choose, Prices
A practical guide to Side tours: ancient city visits, sea and hammam options, durations, catalogue prices and questions to ask before booking.
The short answer for people searching for Side tours: Side is a small peninsula town and is best explored on foot in half a day. Tours usually add a sea, nature or rest day on top of that walk. In this guide you will find what you can do in Side, how long each option takes, who it suits and the prices in the catalogue.
What to know before a tour in Side
Side is an ancient harbour town on the Mediterranean coast, east of Antalya. The old city and the modern resort area are intertwined. Walking through the narrow streets, you will come across column remains, the ancient theatre and the Temple of Apollo's columns by the sea. The main part of the town is small enough to walk, so searching for a "Side tour" does not always mean a bus trip.
For most people, the most sensible plan is:
- Early morning or afternoon: Walk around the ancient ruins and the harbour. Check entry fees and opening hours for the museum, archaeological site and temple before your visit.
- Midday: Beach, shade or hammam during the hot hours.
- Sunset: The light around the Temple of Apollo is very beautiful. In October the sun sets earlier, so schedule this time in your plan.
Options in the catalogue
The only tour departing from Side in our catalogue is the hammam experience. Other tours depart from Alanya or Antalya. If you are staying in Side, check whether these tours include your hotel before booking.
Hammam in Side: for a rest day
Side: Turkish Hamam with Kese Peeling, Foam Massage and Transfer is a 1.5-hour experience in a traditional Turkish hammam in Side. Kese peeling, foam massage and transfer are included. It starts from 25 EUR. It is a good way to recover after a long walk among the ancient ruins or after a day at the beach. Because it is short, it fits easily alongside another plan. If you are visiting a hammam for the first time, you may also like our hammam guides, which explain step by step what will happen.
Sea day: Suluada
Antalya: Suluada Island Cruise w/Lunch & Hotel Transfer is a boat tour to Suluada Island departing from Antalya. It includes swimming in turquoise coves, lunch on the boat and hotel transfer. It lasts 7.5 hours and starts from 55 EUR. It suits those who want to spend the whole day at sea. If you are joining from Side, confirm the pick-up point in advance.
Nature and sea from Alanya
There are two departures from Alanya for a half-day boat or canyon trip:
- Alanya: Pirate Boat w/Transfer, Lunch & Soft Drinks is a pirate boat tour with transfer, lunch and soft drinks included, with swimming and snorkelling stops. It lasts 4.5 hours and starts from 20 EUR. It is suitable for families looking for a short, fun day at sea.
- Alanya: Sapadere Canyon Tour with Lunch and Cave Visit is a day in the Taurus Mountains away from the crowds, with lunch and a cave visit. On the way you pass banana and avocado plantations, and the first stop is a stone bridge and a traditional gözleme break. It lasts 6 hours and starts from 30 EUR. It is a good cooling alternative for those who do not enjoy the heat.
Which tour should you choose?
Look at four questions to help you decide:
- How much time do you have? For a half day, the hammam Side: Turkish Hamam with Kese Peeling, Foam Massage and Transfer or the pirate boat Alanya: Pirate Boat w/Transfer, Lunch & Soft Drinks are suitable. For a full day, Suluada Antalya: Suluada Island Cruise w/Lunch & Hotel Transfer or Sapadere Alanya: Sapadere Canyon Tour with Lunch and Cave Visit makes more sense.
- Who are you travelling with? For families with children, short boat tours are usually more comfortable. For couples and adult groups, a hammam or canyon day may be more relaxing.
- Where is the departure point? If you are staying in Side, factor in the journey time. Check the transfer pick-up point and time on the tour page or during booking.
- What is included? Lunch, drinks, transfer and equipment vary from tour to tour. Read the "included" section on the tour page.
Side in October
The sea may still be suitable for swimming in October, but the weather varies from year to year. Summer crowds decrease and it is more comfortable to walk around the ancient site. Evenings can be cool, so bring a light top. For canyon tours, comfortable shoes are useful; for boat tours, a swimsuit, towel and sunscreen will come in handy. Check the up-to-date forecast for weather and sea conditions before the day of your tour.
How do you book?
Tours are operated by licensed local agencies in Türkiye. Open the page of the tour you want, then select the date and number of people. Give your accommodation details correctly so that the pick-up point and time are confirmed. Prices are the "from" prices shown on the tour page. Check the current price and cancellation conditions before booking.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Side?
Half a day is enough to see the ancient city. If you add the beach, a sea tour and a hammam, 2–3 days gives you a comfortable pace.
How much do Side tours cost?
Catalogue prices start from 25 EUR for the hammam, 20 EUR for the pirate boat, 30 EUR for the Sapadere Canyon and 55 EUR for Suluada. The current price is shown on the tour page.
Can I join Alanya or Antalya tours from Side?
This may be possible on some tours, but the pick-up point varies by tour. Enter your hotel details during booking or check the departure information on the tour page.
Do I need a tour to visit the ancient site?
No. Side's ruins can be comfortably explored on foot. Entry fees and opening hours may change, so check up-to-date information before your visit.
